The Studio
Welcome
The Dance Company was founded in Grand Island, NE over 40 years ago from humble beginnings. And since then, we’ve come a long way. The experienced, quality dance instruction students receive at The Dance Company is fueled by studio owner, Jenny McDermott, and her team of qualified instructors to help dancers attain their goals.
Invested in Community
The Dance Company is proud to be an active part of the Grand Island community. Our involvement includes studio-wide participation in festivals and events like the Harvest of Harmony and Downtown Christmas. We also strive to support others in our community in many ways by participating in events like Dancers Against Cancer, as well as through several other outreach opportunities.
Mark of Success
The Dance Company is proud to have been featured in the Grand Island Independent, as well as having been the recipient of community awards, choreography awards, and high marks at competitions throughout our years.
However, we believe the real mark of success is the impact we’ve made on those who have come through our doors. Our dancers have gone on to do incredible things here at home in Grand Island and throughout the world. We support our dancers and parents and their goals, and we strive to create a positive environment for learning and growth.
TDC Staff
OWNER / DIRECTOR
Jenny O’Hara McDermott
Jenny O’Hara-McDermott has been the director of The Dance Company since 1986. Through the years, the studio has grown and what started as a part-time job, became a full-time teaching endeavor.
Jenny has been involved in local theater groups, choreographing and dancing in musicals. Jenny has also been involved in choreography for Jr. Miss pageants and a number of high school musicals, as well as cheerleader/dance team sponsor for local high schools. She has also conducted pom/dance clinics in other high schools in the state.
Jenny attends workshops every summer and during the year whenever possible. She is certified to teach ballet, tap and jazz by Dance Masters of America. She has attended DMA Teachers Training School in Buffalo, NY, studying with some of the most distinguished teachers and choreographers in the country. She has two grown children and four grandchildren.
INSTRUCTOR
Alaina Hamilton
Alaina Hamilton danced for 18 years, and participated in competitive gymnastics where she received numerous awards in different meets and state meets. She was involved in varsity show choir and on the dance team in high school, where she received awards for best leaps, turns, and most valuable dancer. She was accepted into the Young Americans program but decided to return to Grand Island and The Dance Company. She continues to love being a part of this second family!
INSTRUCTOR
Americas LaBenz
Americas LaBenz started dancing at the age of 3. She joined the TDC Competition Team and attended many workshops and competitions throughout the years. She placed in the top ten and top five in numerous competitions, and won photogenic awards, scholarships and many judges awards. She also danced on the Islandaire Dance Team for four years and was a captain all four years. Americas received All American honors at UDA events twice. We are excited to have her back at TDC!
INSTRUCTOR
Kasey West
Kasey started dancing at The Dance Company when she was 3 years old and continued until she graduated high school. After high school, she went to college and trained under Jo Byrnes and Janie Morgan learning many different skills from both professors. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and decided it was time to come home to Nebraska. Her favorite dance styles are tap, modern and ballet, all for very different reasons.
Kasey understands when teaching young dancers that it is very important to be able to create a strong foundation of technique for the dancer to build upon. Kasey loves working with children and inspiring young dancers to continue dancing.
INSTRUCTOR
Maddie Hamilton
Maddie started dancing at 5 years old. She has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Hip Hop, and many other styles. She did competitive dance and attended many conventions during her dance career, and has had the privilege of training at studios in Omaha including Mary Lorraine’s, Kitty Lee, and Motion 41 with teachers and dancers from Ballet Nebraska.
She began assisting in dance classes at 13 and started teaching at 18. She loves working with dancers of all ages and skill levels and is passionate about making dance an inclusive, supportive space where every student feels confident and celebrated. Outside the studio, she’s a nurse, a wife to Cody, and a proud mom to her son, Brooks. She also loves her pets Nebula (cat), Aurora (dog) and Stitch (jumping spider)!
INSTRUCTOR
Makayla Higgs
Makayla started dancing at the age of 4 and came to The Dance Company when she moved to Grand Island in 2001. She joined the TDC Competition team early on and danced for the Grand Island Senior High School Dance team as well. Her favorite styles were Lyrical, Jazz and Hip Hop. Now, she is married to Cole and has four beautiful children, 2 of which currently attend The Dance Company! Dancing has been a huge part of her life, and she is excited to be back at the studio with so many amazing, talented dancers and to be able to teach. She can’t wait to share her experience with your child!
INSTRUCTOR
Mallorie Buescher
Mallorie began dancing at 5 years old with The Dance Company where she was a member of the Competition Team. She and her family then moved to Lexington, and she commuted for two years before switching to Kearney School of Dance and participating on their Competition Team. Mallorie attended many dance conventions in Omaha to expand her dance skills. She is grateful for all of her years in dance and the friendships made. Mallorie currently attends the University of Nebraska – Kearney, and is excited to be a part of The Dance Company and doing what she loves!
INSTRUCTOR
Mikayla Carlson
Mikayla grew up in Grand Island, and started dancing at TDC when she was 6 years old, eventually joining the Competition Team. After high school, she moved to Lincoln for college and found her love for veterinary medicine. She is now married and has settled in Grand Island and works as a veterinary assistant. She is excited to get to teach the same classes at TDC that she once attended!
OFFICE MANAGER
Kelby Mayfield
Kelby started dancing at 3 and has been involved in the dance world ever since. She graduated from Plattsmouth High School where she danced at Janice’s Dance Studio and was on the High School dance team. After high school, she continued her dance education at Kansas State University, where she received a degree in Dance and a degree in Elementary Education. She then moved to Grand Island where she teaches 1st Grade and coaches the Grand Island Senior High Dance Team. She has loved being a part of The Dance Company family and building meaningful relationships. She feels “at home” being back in a dance studio, and it makes her happy to see so many smiling faces doing what they love at TDC!
